Day 84: Wellington to Picton (1700)
Tuesday, February 21
I woke up around 6 am so I could leave the hostel around 6:30 and get to the ferry at 7 am to check in. I walked along the waterfront at sunrise and it was beautiful. A few minutes after 7 I got to the terminal and checked my pack.
The ship left around 8:30 and I got my last glimpses of the North Island as it left the straight. The ride was beautiful and I got caught up on writing blogs.
After a few hours the South Island really came into view and it was a stunning ride into Picton, with big green mountains on either side of the ship. It got me so excited to start the Queen Charlotte Track tomorrow.
Around noon we made it to Picton and I got off the ferry around 12:30 (even though it was scheduled to get in at 11:30).
The North Island is officially complete and the South Island has begun!
A bus picked people up and took us to get our bags and took us into Picton. I got off at the I-SITE and walked a few minutes to Atlantis BBH, the hostel I was staying at. It has murals everywhere.
After checking in I took a nap, wrote some blogs, and walked by some galleries. One place had gorgeous skateboards that were works of art. I'd hang them on my wall before I'd ever let anyone use one. Next to the shop with the skateboards was an ice cream shop and I couldn't help myself. I got some banana chocolate chip ice cream.
Then I went to the library to write some more blogs (I'm very behind) until they closed at 5. When they closed I walked to the beach. Near the beach they have an amazing playground in the shape of a pirate ship with lots of fun water sprinklers.
After wandering for a bit I went back to the hostel to write some more blogs. Around 6 Sara showed up and checked into the hostel. We talked for a bit and I changed my water taxi to the afternoon to go with Sara.
I wrote another blog and ate some food before we went into town. She got some dinner and I got a beer. We had fun talking over dinner and walked back to the hostel after sunset. The beach was lit up really nicely.
When we got back to the hostel, all the sitting areas were full so we sat in our bunks and went to bed. I caught up on blogs until I fell asleep.
Walking the Wellington Waterfront at sunrise on the way to the ferry.
Boarding the ferry.
There were trucks, cars and camper vans on the ferry.
A map hanging on the ferry.
A map hanging on the ferry.
A map hanging on the ferry.
Leaving the North Island.
Leaving the North Island.
More last images of the North Island.
One of the sitting areas on the ferry.
First views of the South Island.
First views of the South Island.
Forest views of the South Island.
Picton.
A huge cruise ship in the bay.
The beach in Picton.
Such a cool playground!
The skateboards that were so cool. There were so many nice art galleries and stores in Picton.
The beach after dusk.